Kevin Love and LeBron James suffered their first home loss of the season last night. Meanwhile, the Wolves picked up their first home win of the season.
Right now, the Wolves are the better team.
Wolves 1-1
Cavs 0-1
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Wolves
I did catch the ending of the Wolves season opener. Tell me if you've heard this one before: It was close the whole way. They had a lead near the end, they lost.
It's a never-ending cycle. It's not funny anymore. I have no idea how they can have any fans left.
It's a never-ending cycle. It's not funny anymore. I have no idea how they can have any fans left.
Bummed!
Madison Bumgarner was the magic weapon in this series that the Royals simply could not defeat. He basically pitched TWO of their last three games and he looked great doing it. His performance will go down as one of the greatest in World Series history.
It was a great game, a great series, and a great post-season overall. I really wanted the Royals, but I can't help but admire that performance. I'm going to have baseball letdown for a few days and then wait to see if Twins pitching gets better for next year.
I don't care if the Twins win it all next year or not, but I would like to see if they could be in it long enough to at least LOOK like they might be invited to the dance at the end.
Bob Lurtsema as manager would be a good start. But starting PITCHING, as we just saw last night, will make any manager look good.
And great relief pitching, as we saw this series, would be equally important.
So basically pitching and pitching is way more important. I really don't care who we get for the manager.
It was a great game, a great series, and a great post-season overall. I really wanted the Royals, but I can't help but admire that performance. I'm going to have baseball letdown for a few days and then wait to see if Twins pitching gets better for next year.
I don't care if the Twins win it all next year or not, but I would like to see if they could be in it long enough to at least LOOK like they might be invited to the dance at the end.
Bob Lurtsema as manager would be a good start. But starting PITCHING, as we just saw last night, will make any manager look good.
And great relief pitching, as we saw this series, would be equally important.
So basically pitching and pitching is way more important. I really don't care who we get for the manager.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Twins
I'm amazed at the number of Twins fans who can't wait to see who the Twins next manager will be. Yes, they need a new one with Gardy and the Twins parting ways, but rooting for a particular CHOICE is foolish. Molitor and Mientkiewicz are well-known popular former Twins. No one had even heard of Torey Lovullo until his name came up as well.
Who is the BEST choice? Is there a BEST choice?
Maybe former Viking Bob Lurtsema would do a great job, too. After all, he's a popular Minnesota athlete. My point is that we don't know WHO will do the best job. What the Twins really need is better starting pitching. Any good manager will do as long as we have that. At least Mientkiewicz has some experience and success at the position.
A manager who will drag the whole Twins organization in the 21st century would be a good start. Any traditional baseball mind will just be more of the same-old, same-old. We've seen what 15 years of the same thinking of different head coaches has done for the Vikings.. We don't need more of that with the Twins.
We need good starting pitching OR a new approach to the game. I don't think any of the current choices will give us either.
I'm going with the dark horse candidate, Lurtsema.
"You better make it six. I don't think I can eat eight." That guy cracks me up.
Who is the BEST choice? Is there a BEST choice?
Maybe former Viking Bob Lurtsema would do a great job, too. After all, he's a popular Minnesota athlete. My point is that we don't know WHO will do the best job. What the Twins really need is better starting pitching. Any good manager will do as long as we have that. At least Mientkiewicz has some experience and success at the position.
A manager who will drag the whole Twins organization in the 21st century would be a good start. Any traditional baseball mind will just be more of the same-old, same-old. We've seen what 15 years of the same thinking of different head coaches has done for the Vikings.. We don't need more of that with the Twins.
We need good starting pitching OR a new approach to the game. I don't think any of the current choices will give us either.
I'm going with the dark horse candidate, Lurtsema.
"You better make it six. I don't think I can eat eight." That guy cracks me up.
KC
Wow. It wasn't much of a game last night, but if you were rooting for the Royals, the seven-run second really pumped you up. It really is like 1985 all over again. Kansas City was down 3-2 in that series also, when they shutout the Cardinals in game 6, 11-0. Last night, they only scored 10 runs, but the result was the same.
Royals-Mania is running wild. Standing room tickets for tonight's game are averaging well over $1000 a ticket. The ballpark down there is built for speed. We'll see tonight if they can pull off a series win.
Go KC!
Royals-Mania is running wild. Standing room tickets for tonight's game are averaging well over $1000 a ticket. The ballpark down there is built for speed. We'll see tonight if they can pull off a series win.
Go KC!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Colt McCoy Stuns Cowboys in OT
For some reason, I kind of like the Cowboys this year, but it was hard not to root for the Redskins, who were having a miserable year to beat them...IN DALLAS.
Now they come to Minnesota this week. How rooting interests change dramatically.
Now they come to Minnesota this week. How rooting interests change dramatically.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Sunday Sports
I enjoyed much of yesterday's games and highlights. Brady and the Patriots put on an offensive show. So did Big Ben and the Steelers. I even enjoyed the Packers game until Rodgers came up lame in the second half. Then it all kind of deteriorated from there.
I knew that Bumgarner's pitching was going to be key in the World Series. It sure was last night. KC's vaunted bullpen can't do much when they couldn't score a single run. The Royals backs are against the wall. I don't see them winning two straight at home now. Still rooting for them, but admiring what San Francisco accomplished this season even more. I want the Series to go seven either way.
Go Royals!
I knew that Bumgarner's pitching was going to be key in the World Series. It sure was last night. KC's vaunted bullpen can't do much when they couldn't score a single run. The Royals backs are against the wall. I don't see them winning two straight at home now. Still rooting for them, but admiring what San Francisco accomplished this season even more. I want the Series to go seven either way.
Go Royals!
Young Vikings Look Better than Bucs
The defense looked great again yesterday, especially in the O.T.
The offense looked much more comfortable.
Tampa Bay is not a very good team.
That all added up to a rare Vikings win. I'll take it, and hope that leads to greater things in the weeks ahead. The season is half over already. Wow, time flies.
The offense looked much more comfortable.
Tampa Bay is not a very good team.
That all added up to a rare Vikings win. I'll take it, and hope that leads to greater things in the weeks ahead. The season is half over already. Wow, time flies.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Football
The Gophers came back yesterday to take the lead in the third quarter, but ended up losing to Illinois anyway.
The Vikings play at Tampa Bay at noon. I'll try to watch some of that game. It's getting harder and harder to care.
The Vikings play at Tampa Bay at noon. I'll try to watch some of that game. It's getting harder and harder to care.
Sunday Funnies
The 6 foot 5 inch Rock has been caught posing with huge sports stars recently. Here he is posing with one of China's finest basketball stars, 7 foot 9 inch Sun Ming Ming.
When you're the home team, you can put whatever advertising you want on the visitors box in hockey.
When you're the home team, you can put whatever advertising you want on the visitors box in hockey.
GIants Destroy Royals Bullpen
It was a great tight game through 5, but the Giants bats came to life after that. The final was 11-4.
This guarantees the series ending in KC. It will be a six or seven game series now.
This guarantees the series ending in KC. It will be a six or seven game series now.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Royals Win
That bullpen is truly amazing. Just when Giant fans thought they were back in it with two runs in the bottom of the sixth with no outs, the Royals bullpen no-hit them the rest of the way. Great game.
The Royals continued to play great defense and added just enough hits of their own to win it. They are now 10-1 in the post-season. GO ROYALS!
The Royals continued to play great defense and added just enough hits of their own to win it. They are now 10-1 in the post-season. GO ROYALS!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Manning Sets All-Time TD Mark --Three More Times
Many had predicted San Diego winning last night. Even though most of the first half was a battle of defenses, the offenses opened up late in the second quarter, and San Diego found out that Manning just has too many good targets to throw the ball to.
Three more TD passes for Manning. He could have conceivably had more as he handed the ball off on short and goal two other times.
Ultimately, the Chargers didn't have a chance.
CBS' last Thursday night game of the season was their best.
Three more TD passes for Manning. He could have conceivably had more as he handed the ball off on short and goal two other times.
Ultimately, the Chargers didn't have a chance.
CBS' last Thursday night game of the season was their best.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
That's More Like It
The first game of the World Series was a blowout early. That made it no fun to watch.
Last night it was 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, and then BOOM, KC scored five quick runs to put the game away in style. For a nation rooting for the Royals, it was a very satisfying ending.
And you can't help but think that those really good KC relievers are going to cause the Giants fits the rest of the way. San Fran has the better starters. KC's bullpen is lights out. This series' eventual winner will be determined by how well KC starters can perform by keeping the games close early.
It's a great match-up. I'm really looking forward to what happens next.
San Francisco hosts the next three games. I'm afraid that gives them a slight edge.
Last night it was 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, and then BOOM, KC scored five quick runs to put the game away in style. For a nation rooting for the Royals, it was a very satisfying ending.
And you can't help but think that those really good KC relievers are going to cause the Giants fits the rest of the way. San Fran has the better starters. KC's bullpen is lights out. This series' eventual winner will be determined by how well KC starters can perform by keeping the games close early.
It's a great match-up. I'm really looking forward to what happens next.
San Francisco hosts the next three games. I'm afraid that gives them a slight edge.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Vikings Defense Outsanding
Except for that last drive.
Bridgewater's two INTs early stopped the Vikings cold. He protected the ball much better after that. The defense was solid all game...well for 59 minutes and 59 seconds anyway.
Not enough offense and too little defense late, and you had what looked like another loss from last season.
The Packers and Broncos looked good though.
Manning easily passed Brett Favre's all-time TD mark last night. He makes it look so easy. They basically ran out the rest of the game in the second half. And with a running game like that, running out the game was just as easy.
I don't know what Eric Decker was thinking going to the Jets as a free agent this year. Manning and Denver are the league's best offense. The Jets don't even know what an offense is. I said he'd regret the move after he signed. My guess is he's thinking how stupid he was for switching teams right about now.
If you get a chance to check out the highlights of Seattle's loss yesterday it will be worth your while. That fake-out play on the punt return will be an all-time classic. And Seattle fans will remember it, and the resulting loss, for years.
New Orleans and their fans must still be shell-shocked from that Detroit comeback yesterday, The Saints were up by 13 with 4 minutes left. And lost.
Check out the standings in the NFC West. Arizona leads both San Francisco AND Seattle in that division. That's the biggest surprise of the year so far.
That and Dallas having the BEST record in all of football at 6-1. Wow. Who would have thunk it?
Bridgewater's two INTs early stopped the Vikings cold. He protected the ball much better after that. The defense was solid all game...well for 59 minutes and 59 seconds anyway.
Not enough offense and too little defense late, and you had what looked like another loss from last season.
The Packers and Broncos looked good though.
Manning easily passed Brett Favre's all-time TD mark last night. He makes it look so easy. They basically ran out the rest of the game in the second half. And with a running game like that, running out the game was just as easy.
I don't know what Eric Decker was thinking going to the Jets as a free agent this year. Manning and Denver are the league's best offense. The Jets don't even know what an offense is. I said he'd regret the move after he signed. My guess is he's thinking how stupid he was for switching teams right about now.
If you get a chance to check out the highlights of Seattle's loss yesterday it will be worth your while. That fake-out play on the punt return will be an all-time classic. And Seattle fans will remember it, and the resulting loss, for years.
New Orleans and their fans must still be shell-shocked from that Detroit comeback yesterday, The Saints were up by 13 with 4 minutes left. And lost.
Check out the standings in the NFC West. Arizona leads both San Francisco AND Seattle in that division. That's the biggest surprise of the year so far.
That and Dallas having the BEST record in all of football at 6-1. Wow. Who would have thunk it?
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Gophers Win Again
A defense that played better in the second half, an offense that played great the whole game, AND a 52-yard field goal late, gave the Gophers a huge 39-38 win over Purdue yesterday. Minnesota is now 6-1 on the season and still undefeated in the Big Ten.
The Vikings are on the road against Buffalo today and I'll miss to miss most of that game due to other commitments. I'm losing hope fast.
The Vikings are on the road against Buffalo today and I'll miss to miss most of that game due to other commitments. I'm losing hope fast.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Harvin Traded to Jets
The Jets needed a receiver with speed. Seattle didn't need a broken down locker room cancer.
My Take: Seattle will miss Percy Harvin, but not as much as the Jets quarterback, Gino Smith will.
My Take: Seattle will miss Percy Harvin, but not as much as the Jets quarterback, Gino Smith will.
Friday, October 17, 2014
WOW!
The top of the ninth was a harried experience for San Francisco. The Cardinals had a major scoring opportunity with the bases loaded and a wild pitcher on the mound.
A new pitcher came in and ended the threat. The score was still tied.
So in typical, cool playoff baseball style, with two on in the bottom of the ninth, San Francisco's Travis Ishikawa launched a 3-run, walk-off home run into the bleachers. The FIRST time the Giants had a walk off home run in the playoffs since the most famous homerun in baseball history, Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World" in a 1951 playoff game.
NOTHING could have been cooler than this.
EVERYTHING went just as I had hoped. It was if everything was written by a corny Hollywood script writer. That's why baseball is so great. It MAKES history while at the same time giving a nod to its great history.
Both wild card teams are in The Series while the "best teams" in baseball will all be sitting at home, with rest of us, waiting to see who wins this battle of the underdogs. I WANT Kansas City.
BUT, San Francisco is an excellent second choice.
What a World Series we have to look forward to.
Go baseball!
A new pitcher came in and ended the threat. The score was still tied.
So in typical, cool playoff baseball style, with two on in the bottom of the ninth, San Francisco's Travis Ishikawa launched a 3-run, walk-off home run into the bleachers. The FIRST time the Giants had a walk off home run in the playoffs since the most famous homerun in baseball history, Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World" in a 1951 playoff game.
NOTHING could have been cooler than this.
EVERYTHING went just as I had hoped. It was if everything was written by a corny Hollywood script writer. That's why baseball is so great. It MAKES history while at the same time giving a nod to its great history.
Both wild card teams are in The Series while the "best teams" in baseball will all be sitting at home, with rest of us, waiting to see who wins this battle of the underdogs. I WANT Kansas City.
BUT, San Francisco is an excellent second choice.
What a World Series we have to look forward to.
Go baseball!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Vikings Stat of the Week
Minnesota is second in the league with 13 dropped passes. That's nearly three a game. Teddy will never look good until that stat changes.
Royals Sweep, Giants Comback!!
I know some folks want to see an all-Missouri World Series, but I can't think of anything cooler than the wild card teams both making it, and to do that San Francisco has to continue playing better baseball than the Cards.
Last night they did it again. It wasn't late inning heroics that did it, it was Buster Posey's consistently great night instead. His 3 RBI gave San Francisco gave the Giants a commanding three games to one lead in their best of seven series.
With KC putting away Baltimore in four straight, it means the Royals have started their post-season play with EIGHT straight wins. No team has ever done that before. They swept the two best teams in the American League in consecutive series AFTER their one-game playoff with Oakland to get them there.
Go Giants! Go Royals!
Last night they did it again. It wasn't late inning heroics that did it, it was Buster Posey's consistently great night instead. His 3 RBI gave San Francisco gave the Giants a commanding three games to one lead in their best of seven series.
With KC putting away Baltimore in four straight, it means the Royals have started their post-season play with EIGHT straight wins. No team has ever done that before. They swept the two best teams in the American League in consecutive series AFTER their one-game playoff with Oakland to get them there.
Go Giants! Go Royals!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Baseball!!!!
I saw the endings of both games again yesterday. And what fantastic games they were!
A throwing error in the 10th cost the Cards a chance at victory, and a perfect bullpen (16 straight outs at the end) preserved the Royals perfect record this postseason. Two more nail-biters right to the end.
Baseball doesn't get any better than this.
A throwing error in the 10th cost the Cards a chance at victory, and a perfect bullpen (16 straight outs at the end) preserved the Royals perfect record this postseason. Two more nail-biters right to the end.
Baseball doesn't get any better than this.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Baseball Postponed and 49ers Have Comeback
Not much was going on yesterday in the world of sports.
I noticed the judge in the Peterson case decided not to step down even though even people in Texas think that he is pushing the speed of the Peterson case for personal fame. Also the NFL is talking about suspending Peterson even if he is found not guilty of FELONY child neglect/endangerment. They reason that what he admitted MAY not be a felony, but beating a child, smoking marijuana, and credit card fraud would all be just cause to suspend him under league guidelines.
They may not leave Adrian's ultimate fate or punishment in the hands of a glory seeking judge or with the good people of Texas.
Players have been suspended for far less. The league expects a certain decorum from it's members.
I noticed the judge in the Peterson case decided not to step down even though even people in Texas think that he is pushing the speed of the Peterson case for personal fame. Also the NFL is talking about suspending Peterson even if he is found not guilty of FELONY child neglect/endangerment. They reason that what he admitted MAY not be a felony, but beating a child, smoking marijuana, and credit card fraud would all be just cause to suspend him under league guidelines.
They may not leave Adrian's ultimate fate or punishment in the hands of a glory seeking judge or with the good people of Texas.
Players have been suspended for far less. The league expects a certain decorum from it's members.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Sunday Notes
I can't comment much on the Vikings game. I couldn't stand watching it. What I did see was average receivers dropping pretty good passes early, the defense playing tremendously, given that they seemed to be on the field all the time due to the the offense not having any real drives. And that Bridgewater is really inexperienced.
I'm not saying it was all the Vikings fault. Detroit put incredible pressure on Teddy all day. That Norv didn't have a plan to relieve that pressure was what was hard to watch. This offense LOOKED like our horrible offense from the last several years. Even Brett, as old as he was, had his best success rolling out and doing bootlegs. It's harder for defenses to key on you if you're not in the pocket.
Teddy was a deer caught in the headlights all afternoon. And the coaches wouldn't allow him to leave the road.
Better? Fox showing the final minute of the Packers game live. Another spectacular ending for Aaron Rodgers.
Neat? Peyton Manning having a subpar afternoon and still throwing 3 TD passes and leading his team to victory. He just needs three more touchdowns to pass Brett's record next Sunday night.
Weird? I was actually rooting for Dallas to beat the Seahawks yesterday. I guess I hate the young upstarts way more than I hate the 'Boys. Seattle drops to 3-2 AND they finally lost a home game.
Yet another fantastic finish to a baseball game last night. The Cards hit a walk-off homerun. I wouldn't mind seeing an "All Missouri World Series" at this point, but I still like the idea of an all wild card version more. Knowing wild card teams can go that far despite the handicap baseball gives them is pretty cool.
I just want to see KC win it all.
Other than an awful Vikings game, it was a great weekend of sports. The Vikings have been losers for so long, they don't wreck my weekend any more.
I'm not saying it was all the Vikings fault. Detroit put incredible pressure on Teddy all day. That Norv didn't have a plan to relieve that pressure was what was hard to watch. This offense LOOKED like our horrible offense from the last several years. Even Brett, as old as he was, had his best success rolling out and doing bootlegs. It's harder for defenses to key on you if you're not in the pocket.
Teddy was a deer caught in the headlights all afternoon. And the coaches wouldn't allow him to leave the road.
Better? Fox showing the final minute of the Packers game live. Another spectacular ending for Aaron Rodgers.
Neat? Peyton Manning having a subpar afternoon and still throwing 3 TD passes and leading his team to victory. He just needs three more touchdowns to pass Brett's record next Sunday night.
Weird? I was actually rooting for Dallas to beat the Seahawks yesterday. I guess I hate the young upstarts way more than I hate the 'Boys. Seattle drops to 3-2 AND they finally lost a home game.
Yet another fantastic finish to a baseball game last night. The Cards hit a walk-off homerun. I wouldn't mind seeing an "All Missouri World Series" at this point, but I still like the idea of an all wild card version more. Knowing wild card teams can go that far despite the handicap baseball gives them is pretty cool.
I just want to see KC win it all.
Other than an awful Vikings game, it was a great weekend of sports. The Vikings have been losers for so long, they don't wreck my weekend any more.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Gophers and Wild Win
I watched most of the Gopher game yesterday. It's fun seeing a Minnesota team win. That 100 yard TD return in the fourth quarter put the game away just when you thought the "Minnesota Curse" had struck again. Kill's team gets a little better each year. 5-1 looks good, but the Big Ten season is just starting. There's still lots of time to look like a Minnesota team.
I might start watching parts of the Wild games if they keep winning. There first two games have been great.
I also watched Mississippi State beat Auburn handily yesterday. College football this season is not as good as it could be now that they have a stupid playoff, but number three beating number two had a "last year" feel to it. It was a great game.
Speaking of great games, I ended up watching way too much sports yesterday. I caught the last 5 innings of the Royals game yesterday, too. KC waited until the ninth inning to pull out another win in dramatic fashion. The A.L. wild card team is now up 2-0 in the series with the next three games scheduled at home. Baltimore fans looked absolutely sick knowing they may not see their team play at home again this year.
I watched the first 6 innings of San Francisco's win last night, too. The wild card teams are the teams to beat now. Baseball is absolutely on fire.
Will the great sports weekend continue? Bridgewater is supposedly back to 100% and the Lions are hurting. THIS will be the Vikings chance to knock them off. I hate being pessimistic, but today's game will determine the rest of the season for us. A loss at home today will put a serious (perhaps lethal) crimp in our season. Go Vikings!
I might start watching parts of the Wild games if they keep winning. There first two games have been great.
I also watched Mississippi State beat Auburn handily yesterday. College football this season is not as good as it could be now that they have a stupid playoff, but number three beating number two had a "last year" feel to it. It was a great game.
Speaking of great games, I ended up watching way too much sports yesterday. I caught the last 5 innings of the Royals game yesterday, too. KC waited until the ninth inning to pull out another win in dramatic fashion. The A.L. wild card team is now up 2-0 in the series with the next three games scheduled at home. Baltimore fans looked absolutely sick knowing they may not see their team play at home again this year.
I watched the first 6 innings of San Francisco's win last night, too. The wild card teams are the teams to beat now. Baseball is absolutely on fire.
Will the great sports weekend continue? Bridgewater is supposedly back to 100% and the Lions are hurting. THIS will be the Vikings chance to knock them off. I hate being pessimistic, but today's game will determine the rest of the season for us. A loss at home today will put a serious (perhaps lethal) crimp in our season. Go Vikings!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Another Extra Innings Thriller For Royals Fans
I do not dislike Baltimore. In fact if this was any other year I'd be rooting for them to go all the way. It's just that THIS season the Royals are the biggest underdogs in the playoffs, and they have been cellar dwellers for so long in one of the league's smallest markets, with one of their lowest payrolls, that its impossible for me NOT to support them in their quest for the Series.
They have lost so many great players to free agency over the years that seeing this team do so much with so little is just mindblowing. It seems like every game is an extra inning thriller. Just like last night.
They had the lead, lost in it in the 6th, and then won it with a dramatic 10th inning home run. This is the ONLY team in baseball not to hit 100 home runs this year, and yet they are winning extra inning game after extra inning game with home run blasts. Amazing.
It's a long series, but this in one great start to it.
Go Royals.
They have lost so many great players to free agency over the years that seeing this team do so much with so little is just mindblowing. It seems like every game is an extra inning thriller. Just like last night.
They had the lead, lost in it in the 6th, and then won it with a dramatic 10th inning home run. This is the ONLY team in baseball not to hit 100 home runs this year, and yet they are winning extra inning game after extra inning game with home run blasts. Amazing.
It's a long series, but this in one great start to it.
Go Royals.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Wild Win Big
A 5-0 score is a great way to start the season. If I liked ice soccer this would be even cooler.
I watched the first part of the NFL game last night. When the Colts had a 24 point lead in the first quarter I thought it was going to be a slaughter. The Texans came back and made a game of it at least.
33-28 is a respectable score. Luck looked great in that first quarter.
Anybody happen to see that Adrian Peterson failed his bail drug test? He was smoking a little weed and supposedly that means he can't be out on bail now. Will the guy, who can seemingly do nothing right, now serve jail time while he awaits his trial? Nah. He's a celebrity. Last week it was reported that he used his charity's credit card for personal use and nothing came of that either. So felony assault, credit card fraud, and now smoking marijuana while out on bail. What's it take for someone to be branded a criminal?
The Vikings should cut him immediately like they did Simpson. Tell me again why they are even paying his salary this season?
Former Bears GM, Jerry Angelo, admitted in a newspaper article that in his 30 years in the NFL that he looked the other way when it came to punishing players for domestic abuse charges. He said he wasn't alone. The league ignored hundreds and hundreds of cases. The game has now dramatically shifted. The message has been sent. Punishments will be severe and swift...
...unless you're Adrian Peterson.
I watched the first part of the NFL game last night. When the Colts had a 24 point lead in the first quarter I thought it was going to be a slaughter. The Texans came back and made a game of it at least.
33-28 is a respectable score. Luck looked great in that first quarter.
Anybody happen to see that Adrian Peterson failed his bail drug test? He was smoking a little weed and supposedly that means he can't be out on bail now. Will the guy, who can seemingly do nothing right, now serve jail time while he awaits his trial? Nah. He's a celebrity. Last week it was reported that he used his charity's credit card for personal use and nothing came of that either. So felony assault, credit card fraud, and now smoking marijuana while out on bail. What's it take for someone to be branded a criminal?
The Vikings should cut him immediately like they did Simpson. Tell me again why they are even paying his salary this season?
Former Bears GM, Jerry Angelo, admitted in a newspaper article that in his 30 years in the NFL that he looked the other way when it came to punishing players for domestic abuse charges. He said he wasn't alone. The league ignored hundreds and hundreds of cases. The game has now dramatically shifted. The message has been sent. Punishments will be severe and swift...
...unless you're Adrian Peterson.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
NHL Season Starts
That's all I got.
Oh, and Adrian Peterson's trial date has been moved up until December instead of later next year because he's a celebrity. I want to make this clear. I dislike Peterson even more now. Special treatment for him is wrong. Just like his beating his children is wrong.
The Vikings should cut all ties with him. It doesn't matter if the good folks of Texas give him a free pass on this or not. I don't care if THEY decide it was a felony or not. He beat a helpless four year old child and stuffed leaves in his mouth. He did it. He admitted it. Classifying it won't change the facts.
I will not support the Vikings if they support Peterson.
The judge in this case must be a real media-seeker as well. He is pushing back every single other case on his docket to get on TV. He should be dismissed as well. Justice is not being served in Texas.
Oh, and Adrian Peterson's trial date has been moved up until December instead of later next year because he's a celebrity. I want to make this clear. I dislike Peterson even more now. Special treatment for him is wrong. Just like his beating his children is wrong.
The Vikings should cut all ties with him. It doesn't matter if the good folks of Texas give him a free pass on this or not. I don't care if THEY decide it was a felony or not. He beat a helpless four year old child and stuffed leaves in his mouth. He did it. He admitted it. Classifying it won't change the facts.
I will not support the Vikings if they support Peterson.
The judge in this case must be a real media-seeker as well. He is pushing back every single other case on his docket to get on TV. He should be dismissed as well. Justice is not being served in Texas.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Two More Great Games, Next Round Set
BOTH wild card teams are moving on. The two best teams in baseball, record-wise, are already gone.
I'm amazed and thrilled.
Baseball is great this time of year.
And we still have the both League Championship Series and World Series to play.
I'm amazed and thrilled.
Baseball is great this time of year.
And we still have the both League Championship Series and World Series to play.
Twist in the Johnson Arrest
Tom Johnson had his cell phone video on at the time of his arrest. The few brief seconds do show an entirely different story. He HAD left the restaurant. He wasn't resisting. And two off-duty cops, acting as security guards for the restaurant, appeared to START the incident.
Originally the story said he refused to leave the restaurant at closing time, and that as a result he was arrested for trespassing. NOW the restaurant is saying is saying he was denied entrance because he was wearing boots.
People that change their story are the ones who are usually lying.
The brief tape appears to make the restaurant and officers the bad guys.
I apologize to Tom Johnson for my remarks yesterday. Though NFL players are often stupid (ie. Adrian Peterson), Tom seemed like a pretty smart guy for filming what he could before police broke his camera.
I'm glad everyone will now see their faces. My guess is they won't be police much longer. The local chief will have no recourse but to punish them. The public will demand it. And these bullies will have to start changing their tactics. You see, there are cameras everywhere. You never know who may be watching.
Based on what they've seen and heard, the Vikings allowed Johnson to practice with the team yesterday. Barring earth-shattering evidence, Johnson will play on Sunday against the Lions.
http://www.kare11.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2014/10/07/video-shows-vikings-tom-johnson-incident/16888429/
Originally the story said he refused to leave the restaurant at closing time, and that as a result he was arrested for trespassing. NOW the restaurant is saying is saying he was denied entrance because he was wearing boots.
People that change their story are the ones who are usually lying.
The brief tape appears to make the restaurant and officers the bad guys.
I apologize to Tom Johnson for my remarks yesterday. Though NFL players are often stupid (ie. Adrian Peterson), Tom seemed like a pretty smart guy for filming what he could before police broke his camera.
I'm glad everyone will now see their faces. My guess is they won't be police much longer. The local chief will have no recourse but to punish them. The public will demand it. And these bullies will have to start changing their tactics. You see, there are cameras everywhere. You never know who may be watching.
Based on what they've seen and heard, the Vikings allowed Johnson to practice with the team yesterday. Barring earth-shattering evidence, Johnson will play on Sunday against the Lions.
http://www.kare11.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2014/10/07/video-shows-vikings-tom-johnson-incident/16888429/
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Vikings Number ONE...
...in NFL team player arrests since 2000 with 47.
The latest was backup defensive tackle Tom Johnson late Sunday night. He allegedly refused to leave a club at closing time and so was arrested by officers after they used pepper spray and a stun gun to subdue him.
His lawyer says to wait for the "full story."
They all say that.
Vikings aren't saying anything yet.
They're learning.
My Take: Why are NFL players so incredibly stupid?
The latest was backup defensive tackle Tom Johnson late Sunday night. He allegedly refused to leave a club at closing time and so was arrested by officers after they used pepper spray and a stun gun to subdue him.
His lawyer says to wait for the "full story."
They all say that.
Vikings aren't saying anything yet.
They're learning.
My Take: Why are NFL players so incredibly stupid?
Monday, October 6, 2014
500 and 50,000
What's sports viewing like on a Sunday afternoon and evening without the Twins or the Vikings?
Pretty much a relaxed bliss.
Though the Denver Broncos game was not broadcast, it was pretty easy to keep up with Manning's pursuit of 500 touchdown tosses. And how cool is it that the OTHER great quarterback from this era, Tom Brady, on the same day, joined the 50,000 yards passing club?
With baseball, it's pretty much a given that really cool milestones happen on the same day. With football, it's an amazing happening. That's it Brady AND Manning makes it even cooler. Football will never be as cool as baseball when it comes to record pursuits, but yesterday's quarterback karma will be hard to beat.
Speaking of baseball, the Royals did the unthinkable yesterday. They finished off their sweep of the Angels yesterday. That's right, they swept them in three straight games AFTER beating Oakland in their wild card, sudden-death playoff game on Tuesday. That's four straight thrillers and two series wins from a team that hasn't even tasted playoff ambrosia for 4 decades.
Go KC!
And on the other side of the American League playoffs, the Tigers, the team that eeked out a division title FROM the Royals just a week earlier for the privilege of facing the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the division playoffs, got swept themselves yesterday. The division leader is done for the season while the division runner-up is still alive and kicking ready to face the Orioles in the league championship series.
Baseball is sweet.
And the best part of yesterday's sports' scene? The Lions and Bears lost. That means the Vikings after five weeks of the season are only ONE game behind division leading Green Bay and Detroit, tied for second place in the NFC North with the Bears. With the season nearly 1/3 over, the Vikings still have hope. And Bridgewater has a full week of ankle healing ahead of him.
Bliss indeed.
Pretty much a relaxed bliss.
Though the Denver Broncos game was not broadcast, it was pretty easy to keep up with Manning's pursuit of 500 touchdown tosses. And how cool is it that the OTHER great quarterback from this era, Tom Brady, on the same day, joined the 50,000 yards passing club?
With baseball, it's pretty much a given that really cool milestones happen on the same day. With football, it's an amazing happening. That's it Brady AND Manning makes it even cooler. Football will never be as cool as baseball when it comes to record pursuits, but yesterday's quarterback karma will be hard to beat.
Speaking of baseball, the Royals did the unthinkable yesterday. They finished off their sweep of the Angels yesterday. That's right, they swept them in three straight games AFTER beating Oakland in their wild card, sudden-death playoff game on Tuesday. That's four straight thrillers and two series wins from a team that hasn't even tasted playoff ambrosia for 4 decades.
Go KC!
And on the other side of the American League playoffs, the Tigers, the team that eeked out a division title FROM the Royals just a week earlier for the privilege of facing the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the division playoffs, got swept themselves yesterday. The division leader is done for the season while the division runner-up is still alive and kicking ready to face the Orioles in the league championship series.
Baseball is sweet.
And the best part of yesterday's sports' scene? The Lions and Bears lost. That means the Vikings after five weeks of the season are only ONE game behind division leading Green Bay and Detroit, tied for second place in the NFC North with the Bears. With the season nearly 1/3 over, the Vikings still have hope. And Bridgewater has a full week of ankle healing ahead of him.
Bliss indeed.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Upsets In College
ALL of those major upsets in college football this week and I couldn't enjoy any of them.
WHY? Because none of them matter with the new playoff system in place this year. Number 2 Oregon was beat. Number 3 Alabama was beat. Number 4 Oklahoma was beat. Number 6 Texas A&M was beat. Number 8 UCLA was beat. Number 10 MSU was beat. The best single week of upsets in decades and none of them mean anything.
Instead of being eliminated from the National Championship game, they all have a chance to make the playoffs at the end of the year yet. The big upsets aren't that big when they don't really matter.
The one game I did enjoy was TCU beating number 4 Oklahoma. The Horn Frogs gave the Gophers their only loss so far this year. If they beat Oklahoma, too, and are still undefeated, it makes the Gophers look that much better.
At least that's something.
College football has lost most of its luster this year.
WHY? Because none of them matter with the new playoff system in place this year. Number 2 Oregon was beat. Number 3 Alabama was beat. Number 4 Oklahoma was beat. Number 6 Texas A&M was beat. Number 8 UCLA was beat. Number 10 MSU was beat. The best single week of upsets in decades and none of them mean anything.
Instead of being eliminated from the National Championship game, they all have a chance to make the playoffs at the end of the year yet. The big upsets aren't that big when they don't really matter.
The one game I did enjoy was TCU beating number 4 Oklahoma. The Horn Frogs gave the Gophers their only loss so far this year. If they beat Oklahoma, too, and are still undefeated, it makes the Gophers look that much better.
At least that's something.
College football has lost most of its luster this year.
18 Innings
I liked last night's ball game. I didn't like it enough to see the ending though. I went to bed with it still tied 1-1 after 15. It didn't end until three innings later, 2-1. Much like the American League wild card team, KC, the Giants now lead the BEST team in the National League, the Nationals, two games to none in their playoff series. 6 1/2 hours. 17 pitchers. That's a game.
The Dodgers tied their series with the Cards yesterday 1-1 as well. Another well-pitched, one-run game.
Baseball is fun this time of year, just not as much fun as if the Twins were still involved. All of that losing the last few years has seemed to develop a nice callous on my "home team only" muscles. I can now appreciate the other teams and what they have to offer.
It's the same way with the Vikings. I can appreciate teams like the Packers, Broncos, and Seahawks more because my expectations have been lowered with my home team.
The Dodgers tied their series with the Cards yesterday 1-1 as well. Another well-pitched, one-run game.
Baseball is fun this time of year, just not as much fun as if the Twins were still involved. All of that losing the last few years has seemed to develop a nice callous on my "home team only" muscles. I can now appreciate the other teams and what they have to offer.
It's the same way with the Vikings. I can appreciate teams like the Packers, Broncos, and Seahawks more because my expectations have been lowered with my home team.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
DUI of the Day
Former Titans place kicker Rob Bironis' autopsy results are in. He died on a one-vehicle car crash a couple of weeks ago. His blood alcohol was .218 at the time. He was only 36. Drunk drivers kill people. This time it was the driver himself.
KC Up Two Games to None
How cool is it that the wild card team in the AL is beating its BEST team this early in the playoffs?
The other games yesterday were all one-run barn burners and weren't decided until the last out.
THIS is playoff baseball.
The other games yesterday were all one-run barn burners and weren't decided until the last out.
THIS is playoff baseball.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Shout Outs
I neglected to congratulate Justin Morneau for winning the National League batting title on Monday. He had a great season. A "comeback player of the year" type season.
The Royals beat the Angels yesterday in 11. The AL wild card team is still playing like its 1985!
Unranked Arizona knocked off number TWO Oregon in NCAA football last night. Normally that would have thrilled me, but with the new playoff system in place, Oregon can STILL make it to the National Championship Game if they play well the rest of the season. So in effect, one of the largest upsets in recent college history means nothing. That game meant nothing. Last year, that loss by the Ducks would have knocked them out of the title picture completely. It would have been HUGE. Now its meaningless. Just like all the other college games this season. Every loss means no more than a Mulligan in golf.
And finally, a special shutout to Christian Ponder's ineptitude as quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. He forced me to come up with a new term for how bad the Vikings looked, and how terribly they performed against the Packers. Last night, the Vikings were just ebola.
The Royals beat the Angels yesterday in 11. The AL wild card team is still playing like its 1985!
Unranked Arizona knocked off number TWO Oregon in NCAA football last night. Normally that would have thrilled me, but with the new playoff system in place, Oregon can STILL make it to the National Championship Game if they play well the rest of the season. So in effect, one of the largest upsets in recent college history means nothing. That game meant nothing. Last year, that loss by the Ducks would have knocked them out of the title picture completely. It would have been HUGE. Now its meaningless. Just like all the other college games this season. Every loss means no more than a Mulligan in golf.
And finally, a special shutout to Christian Ponder's ineptitude as quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. He forced me to come up with a new term for how bad the Vikings looked, and how terribly they performed against the Packers. Last night, the Vikings were just ebola.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Notes
Pittsburgh got clobbered last night by the Giants. I'm guessing there weren't many viewers left by the end of the game. Except in San Francisco.
I would be more excited about the Vikings/Packers game tonight IF I knew Bridgewater was going to play AND he his ankle was near 100% healthy. Anything less than that and I'm afraid were just waiting for a Green Bay victory.
I still like Green Bay. Just not when they are going against Minnesota.
It's seems almost impossible but Peyton Manning is going for his 500th touchdown throw this weekend. The all-time record for TD passes is 508 by Brett Favre. Manning has been averaging nearly 3 TDs a game since becoming a Bronco, so if Manning stays healthy for even 3 more games that record will in all likelihood be his. No one else is even close to that 500 mark.
I would be more excited about the Vikings/Packers game tonight IF I knew Bridgewater was going to play AND he his ankle was near 100% healthy. Anything less than that and I'm afraid were just waiting for a Green Bay victory.
I still like Green Bay. Just not when they are going against Minnesota.
It's seems almost impossible but Peyton Manning is going for his 500th touchdown throw this weekend. The all-time record for TD passes is 508 by Brett Favre. Manning has been averaging nearly 3 TDs a game since becoming a Bronco, so if Manning stays healthy for even 3 more games that record will in all likelihood be his. No one else is even close to that 500 mark.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
DUI of the Day
Michael Phelps got caught driving drunk again in Maryland early Tuesday morning. He was also caught there doing the same thing a few years ago.
He told every one he was "deeply sorry for his mistake". Which was the same thing he said at his last DUI arrest AND the time he was caught with heavy public marijuana use back in 2009.
He also said each time that he would learn from his mistake. Sometimes people stop believing you when you don't learn. I've explained in the past that people will readily admit their "mistakes" when they get caught doing something they know they shouldn't be doing, but never truly say that what they did was wrong.
The difference? You accidently make a mistake. You choose to do something wrong. The reason a person claims mistake? You usually don't punish someone for making a mistake because the next line that ALWAYS follows is, "we all make mistakes." Eventually the courts will realize all of these apologies mean nothing. At that time, he will be punished for doing something wrong.
We as a society no longer recognize the difference between the two terms. That's why it's important to have have it pointed out once in a while when you get the chance.
He told every one he was "deeply sorry for his mistake". Which was the same thing he said at his last DUI arrest AND the time he was caught with heavy public marijuana use back in 2009.
He also said each time that he would learn from his mistake. Sometimes people stop believing you when you don't learn. I've explained in the past that people will readily admit their "mistakes" when they get caught doing something they know they shouldn't be doing, but never truly say that what they did was wrong.
The difference? You accidently make a mistake. You choose to do something wrong. The reason a person claims mistake? You usually don't punish someone for making a mistake because the next line that ALWAYS follows is, "we all make mistakes." Eventually the courts will realize all of these apologies mean nothing. At that time, he will be punished for doing something wrong.
We as a society no longer recognize the difference between the two terms. That's why it's important to have have it pointed out once in a while when you get the chance.
Baseball Playoffs
There was only one game yesterday. And what a game it was. The Royals found themselves down 7-3 after six. But they scored 3 in the eighth and tied it in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extra innings.
And after giving up the go-ahead run in the 12th, they scored two of their own in the bottom of the inning to pull off one of the most dramatic comeback wins in baseball history.
Like the signs in the stadium said, they were partying in KC last night like it was 1985.
The Twins may have had another lousy season, but baseball is alive and well.
And after giving up the go-ahead run in the 12th, they scored two of their own in the bottom of the inning to pull off one of the most dramatic comeback wins in baseball history.
Like the signs in the stadium said, they were partying in KC last night like it was 1985.
The Twins may have had another lousy season, but baseball is alive and well.
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